Stimulating and comforting security item for children

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;s body of fabric article wherein at least one triangular shaped attachment is securely sewn into a seam along at least one edge. In other embodiments the body of fabric article may optionally include a pocket or a developmental closing mechanism. The pocket allows a child to safely insert a finger into the attachment and is further directed to the resulting method of sensory stimulation for a child. The optional closing mechanism further serves as a method for developing fine motor skills in children, ages two and up.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the general field of entertainment, security,developmental, and comforting items for babies and children. It is wellknown that a child will often become attached to a personal item such asa toy, blanket or other article. Often this attachment will be a resultof visual, oral, tactile or other forms of developmental stimulation.Such an item can provide such benefits in a number of ways, particularlyin the absence of a parent or other attractions that may divert thechild's attention. Further, an article constructed of a plurality ofshapes, textures and materials may also be able to provide numerousforms of stimulation. If the article also includes additionalattachments, a child will have further opportunities to be stimulated aswell, providing important psychological and physiological additionalbenefits.

Fleece baby blankets having loops or “tags” for baby entertainment arewell known in the art. While these blankets have value and are useful,they cannot provide stimulation and pleasure in the manner disclosedherein.

Children are naturally curious and sensitive to items they touch orotherwise come into contact. Many items have been attached to blanketsand the like to satisfy the natural sensory needs of children. One suchexample is a ribbon loop attachment, into which a child can fully inserta finger. Small children may insert a finger into the loops and thentwist the loops in such a manner that entanglement and possible loss ofcirculation can occur. The present disclosure addresses this and otherconcerns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an article ofmanufacture, and methods of making the same, that is made of fabric andincorporates safe and secure triangular attachments made of a secondfabric which is pleasing to one's hand, folded over and securelyattached (e.g. sewn) into the seam of two pieces of fabric. Theattachments may be constructed with an open side creating a pocket. Whenconstructed with such a pocket, the design provides children withvisual, oral, tactile and developmental stimulation, while beingenclosed to prevent a child from getting fingers caught or twistedinside the attachment. The triangular attachments may be sewn into theseam of a blanket, or any appropriate layered body of fabric in whichthere is a seam.

According to certain aspects, attachments are made by folding a piece offabric onto itself, and then folding it over again. This double-foldedpiece of fabric is then securely sewn into the seam of two bodies offabric, creating a triangular shaped attachment that has one open sideor enclosed “pocket” that is pleasing to the tactile, ocular and oralsenses of a child. Also, because a child cannot fully “insert” a fingerthrough such a constructed pocket, possible entanglement of a finger isavoided.

The insertion of a finger into the open pocket allows for intrinsicrubbing of the fabric between the fingers, creating pleasure and tactilestimulation for the child. Further, the attachment creates a variationof textural sensations because it is constructed of a different materialfrom the main body of fabric. The resulting variation of material isboth visually and orally stimulating to a child. In one embodiment, thetriangular attachment is made of satin. In this embodiment, theattachment is not only interesting to feel and view but it also providesoral satiation for the child, an inherent need of developing babies.There are a plurality of input modes of such sensory integration thatmay stimulate a child's development and interaction experience. Sensoryinput integration is herein defined as any such input stimulus wherein achild responds to a first action with a reaction.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of providingsensory stimulation to a child is disclosed. The method comprisesproviding a first material body of fabric sheet. The sheet comprises afirst panel of said first material substantially parallel to a secondpanel of said first material. The first and second panels are sewntogether to form the body of fabric sheet. In addition, the body offabric sheet is securely sewn together with one or more triangularattachments constructed of a second material. Further, the triangularattachment is constructed from a single sheet of a second materialfabric wherein the triangular attachment is open on one side to providea way for a child to obtain visual, oral, tactile and developmentstimulation. The triangular attachment is assembled by folding over asingle sheet of a second fabric material in a series of a first foldstep and a second fold step to create one open side of the triangularattachment. The difference in fabric material textures, coupled with theone open side construction provides oral, ocular, tactile, anddevelopmental experience and provides a means for a child to enhance anddevelop fine motor skills.

It is not feasible to list every possible material, configuration, orshape of the here disclosed subject matter or shape of the body offabric to which the present invention may be directed. Therefore, theterm “body of fabric” is used to refer to every article, shape,material, or combination which may be included in the illustrations anddescriptions that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one means for creating the triangular pocket elementsaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment including substantially triangularattachment elements in the corners of a body of fabric sheet.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment including snaps and buttons.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment including triangular pocketelements on a star shaped blanket.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the current invention wherein aplurality of triangular pocket elements are attached to a circularblanket.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment as part of a doll.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart detailing a method for providing sensorystimulation to a child according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below tosimplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examplesand are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosuremay repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples.This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and doesnot in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodimentsand/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a triangular pocket element 114 and one means forcreating the triangular pocket element 114 according to one embodiment.A square or oblong piece of fabric sheet 110 is folded diagonally tocreate a first triangular shaped piece of fabric 112. The firsttriangular-shaped piece of fabric 112 is then folded a second time alonga line to bisect the first triangular-shaped fabric 112 such that thefold is along the medium from one of the vertices of the right angle tothe midpoint of the opposite side thus creating a secondtriangular-shaped of the fabric 114. The second triangular-shaped fabric114 is the pocket element having an open seamless pocket side 116 and asecond fabric end side 118 to be sewn into other fabric. The absence ofa sewn seam along the pocket side 116 of the pocket element provides fora smoother surface for the infant thus facilitating the tactilesensation and eliminating the less flexible sewn hem or selvage thatresults when multiple fabrics are sewn together.

Alternatively, a square piece of fabric sheet 110 is folded in half thenfolded into itself to obtain a second square fabric sheet. The secondsquare fabric sheet is then sewn into the seam on the diagonal and theremaining square is cut off.

FIG. 2 illustrates a blanket 210 according to one embodiment. As shown,a blanket 210 includes a body of fabric having four pocket elements 212,216, 218 and 220 attached one at each corner. Each pocket element isattached such that the pocket or opening is accessible to a child byaligning the pocket opening along the edge of the blanket 210. Thus, thetriangular pocket elements 212, 216, 218 and 220 are easily accessibleto the child and are located where the child is most likely to grasp theblanket.

FIG. 3 illustrates a blanket 310 including snaps and buttons accordingto one embodiment. As shown, blanket 310 includes a fabric materialhaving one or more pocket elements 312, 316 attached at the corners.Each pocket element 312, 316 is attached such that the pocket or openingis accessible to a child by aligning the pocket opening along the edgeof the blanket 310. In this embodiment, snaps 314 and buttons 318 areemployed to allow for closing the pockets 312 and 318 respectively. Thisprovides for enhanced stimulation of a child and as the child grows,provides a familiarization with common elements of clothing. One havingskill in the art will appreciate that this embodiment can be realizedusing other enclosure means besides snaps or buttons. For example,zippers, laces, or stitching may be employed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a star shaped blanket 410 having triangular pocketelements according to another embodiment. The triangular elements 412,414, 416, 418 and 420 are attached to the blanket 410, in one aspect, bysewing the fabric end side to the position on the blanket such that theycomprise the points of the star. Thus, the triangular pocket elements412, 414, 416, 418 and 420 are easily accessible to the child and arelocated where the child is most likely to grasp the blanket.

FIG. 5 illustrates a circular blanket 510 having a plurality oftriangular pocket elements according to another embodiment. As shown, aplurality of triangular pocket elements 512 are sewn along the edge ofthe blanket 510 such that the fabric end side is sewn to the blanket 510leaving the pocket 514 available for the child to explore. In thisembodiment, should the child grasp any position along the edge of theblanket, they will encounter one of the triangle pocket elements 512.

FIG. 6 illustrates a doll constructed out of fabric 610 and having adoll's head 612 according to one embodiment. One or more triangularpocket elements 614 are attached such that the fabric end is sewn to thedoll fabric 610 and the pocket opening 616 is available to the child.

One having skill in the art would recognize that a wide variety offabrics may be used and that different shapes and sizes of elements(e.g. corners, fabric, etc.) may be used.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart detailing a method for creating anobject that provides sensory stimulation to a child. To realize atriangular pocket element, one must first provide a square piece of afirst fabric 710. The fabric is then folded diagonally to create a firsttriangular shape 712 and then the fabric is again added to bisect firsttriangle creating a second triangular shape having a fabric end side anda pocket side 714. Finally, the fabric edges of the second triangularshape are securely sewn into a seam of a second fabric and lining 716.The second fabric may include a blanket, doll or other fabric item foruse with a child.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of providingsensory stimulation to a child is disclosed. The method comprisesproviding a first material body of fabric sheet. The sheet comprises afirst panel of a first material substantially parallel to a second panelof said first material or a second material. The first and second panelsare sewn together to form the body of fabric sheet. In addition, thebody of fabric sheet is securely sewn together with one or moretriangular attachments constructed of a different, second material.Further, the triangular attachment is constructed from a single sheet ofa second material fabric wherein the triangular attachment is open onone side to provide a way for a child to obtain visual, oral, tactileand development stimulation. The triangular attachment is assembled byfolding over a single sheet of a second fabric material in a series of afirst fold step and a second fold step to create one open side of thetriangular attachment. The difference in fabric material textures,coupled with the one open side construction provides oral, ocular,tactile, and developmental experience.

In yet further embodiments of the invention, a method of providingvisual sensory stimulation to a child wherein a body of fabric sheet isshaped in a familiar pattern to the child. The method comprisesproviding visual sensory stimulation to a child wherein a body of fabricsheet is shaped in the image of a popular children shape, said shapeselected from the group consisting of a star, sun, and doll; providingone or more substantially triangular attachments securely sewn andcoupled thereto; and stimulating a child's sensory input integration.

According to FIG. 2, the triangular attachment pocket provides a way tovisually stimulate a child because the attachment is constructed of asecond material, which in some embodiments may be shiny. For example, inone embodiment, the triangular attachment pocket may be constructed of asatin fabric. In such an embodiment, the triangular attachment pocketsecond material will be attractive to a child because it is shiny andmay reflect light differently than a dissimilar first material. Further,the second material may also provide a child with oral stimulation dueto the differences in textures between said first and second materials.Other useful materials might include satin, fleece, corduroy, polyester,etc.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit of theinvention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construedbroadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, asset forth in the following claims.

1. A children's fabric article comprising: a body; a plurality oftriangular attachment pockets wherein said triangular attachment pocketsare arranged in a plurality of patterns and said attachment pockets areopen on one side.
 2. A children's fabric article of claim 1 wherein thebody is made of a first material, and wherein the pockets are made of asecond material different from the first material.
 3. The children'sfabric article of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of bondingmeans opposite to one open side.
 4. The children's fabric article ofclaim 1, wherein the first material is a cloth material and wherein thesecond material includes satin.
 5. A method of providing sensorystimulation to a child, the method comprising: providing a first fabricsheet, said sheet comprising a first panel of a first materialsubstantially parallel to a second panel of said first material, whereinthe first and second panels are sewn together to form said fabric sheet;providing a triangular attachment wherein said attachment includes apanel made of a second material folded over to form a substantiallytriangular portion; and attaching said triangular portion to the firstfabric sheet.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the triangular portionincludes an open pocket, and wherein attaching includes sewing thetriangular portion to the first fabric sheet such that the open pocketis exposed.
 7. A method of providing sensory stimulation to a child, themethod comprising: providing a second fabric; folding the second fabricin half to form a first rectangular shape; folding the second fabric asecond time thereby creating a second rectangular shape fabric havingone side comprised of the fabric edges and attaching the folded secondfabric into the seam on the diagonal; and trimming away the remainingsquare to expose a seamless edge to a first fabric sheet such that thefabric edges are attached to the first fabric sheet and the seamlesspocket is exposed.
 8. A blanket comprising: one or more first bodies offabric double-folded into a triangular shape such that one side of thetriangle comprises the edges of the fabric and another side comprises aseamless pocket; a second body of fabric attached to the edges of thefabric of the first bodies of fabric, wherein the seamless pocket isexposed such that a child may place their fingers in the pocket.
 9. Theblanket of claim 8 wherein the blanket further comprises: One or morefasteners attached to each pocket such that the pocket may be securelyclosed.
 10. The blanket of claim 9 wherein the fasteners are selectedfrom a group consisting of snaps, buttons, laces and zippers.
 11. A dollcomprising: a head having on one side a representation of a face; afirst body of fabric attached to the head for comprising the body of thedoll; one or more second bodies of fabric double-folded into atriangular shape such that one side of the triangle comprises the edgesof the fabric and another side comprises a seamless pocket, wherein theedges of the fabric of the second body of fabric are attached to thefirst body of fabric.
 12. A children's fabric article, comprising: abody; at least one triangular pocket, wherein said at least onetriangular pocket is attached to said body and provides a pocketopening.
 13. The children's fabric article of claim 12, wherein the bodyis made of a first material, and wherein the pockets are made of asecond material different from the first material.
 14. The children'sfabric article of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of bondingmeans opposite to one open side.
 15. The children's fabric article ofclaim 12, wherein the first material is a cloth material and wherein thesecond material includes silk.